Changes to HGV and Bus driving licences from 15th September 2021

If DVLA processes your first provisional vocational licence from 15t November

If DVLA processes your first provisional vocational licence from 15 November you’ll automatically be allowed to tow a trailer as a provisional licence holder.

Changes to the Driver CPC part 3 (driving ability) test

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 3 (driving ability) test is 1 of the 4 tests you have to pass to drive a lorry or bus for a living.

The test is going to be split into 2 parts from 15 November 2021:

· Driver CPC part 3a (off-road exercises) test

· Driver CPC part 3b (on-road driving) test

Until the rules change, you need to continue following the existing rules about learning to drive an HGV or bus.

Driver CPC part 3a (off-road exercises) test

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will allow training organisations to carry out the Driver CPC part 3a test.

The person who trains you will not be allowed to carry out your Driver CPC part 3a test - it will need to be another trainer.

The off-road exercises will still include:

· an ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay

· showing the uncoupling and recoupling procedure if you’re taking a test with a trailer

The test will still be assessed to the same standard.

You will need to pass the Driver CPC part 3a test before you can take the Driver CPC part 3b test.

Driver CPC part 3b (on-road driving) test

DVSA will continue to provide the Driver CPC part 3b test.

The test will still include:

· vehicle safety questions (known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions)

· practical on-road driving

The driving test appointment time will reduce slightly because the off-road exercises will have already been tested.